Synthesis of the first polymer-supported tripodal triphosphine ligand and its application in the heterogeneous hydrogenolysis of benzo[b]thiophene by rhodium catalysis

Abstract

A p-styrenyl substituent attached to the ligand framework allows the tripodal triphosphine moiety –C(CH₂PPh₂)₃ to be introduced as a pendant group in polystyrene matrices via free-radical copolymerisation; in conjunction with rhodium(I), the polytriphos material forms an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of benzo[b]thiophene to 2-ethylthiophenol and ethylbenzene.